Debutant Head prepared to bat long in UAE

An older and wiser Travis Head is determined to make the most of his Test debut as the winds of change sweep through Australia's squad in the UAE.

Hitting form at a time of deep uncertainty for Australian cricket, Head has a golden opportunity when he debuts in the first Test against Pakistan on Sunday.

Coach Justin Langer has confirmed Aaron Finch will open the batting in Dubai while Queenslanders Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser are also firmly in the mix, raising the prospect of Australia fielding four Test debutants for the first time in 40 years.

Head's call-up comes after he ground out an impressive unbeaten 90 during Australia's tour match against Pakistan A, having also made scores of 87, 68 and 47 during last month's Australia A tour of India.

The 24-year-old has honed his craft on the subcontinent with stints in the IPL and Australia's limited-over tours, and Langer highlighted Head's improved batting against spin when announcing his selection.

Head believes the key has been finding a balance between his natural aggression and being prepared to dig in and bat for long periods of time.

"For me, I don't have much difference between white and red ball," he told reporters in Dubai on Thursday.

"The shift for me is just being able to do it for longer periods of time.

"I naturally haven't changed the way I play between all formats, I've been quite aggressive and quite positive. The shift is being a little older and realising if I spend time out in the middle and bat for longer periods of time, I'll be able to score runs."

Head said he was yet to learn where he would bat after slotting in at No.5 during the drawn four-day tour match.

One factor which could have a bearing is whether selectors back in Test bolter Labuschagne ahead of opener Matthew Renshaw.

Renshaw failed to bat in the tour match after being struck in the head while fielding on day two.

The left-hander batted in the nets during Thursday's light training session but there are concerns about his lack of match practice after suffering multiple injuries in recent months.

Australia's frontline quicks did not take part in the optional session with intrigue surrounding whether selectors will back in veteran Peter Siddle or the uncapped Neser, who played ahead of Siddle in the tour match.

Head said the new-look squad was embracing the different feel for Australia's first Test series since the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal and one that will be played without banned trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

"It's a nice vibe at the minute," he said.

"We had a really good tour match. We've got family to come over. It's a really exciting time to get in and win a game of cricket for Australia."